Tips > CD & DVD Labeling

Sharpie

Archiving

With the longevity of discs in mind, do the following to label a CD or DVD.

• Don't use adhesive labels.

• Use a water-based marker, such as the Delkin eFilm CD/DVD Marker Pen, the Dixon Redisharp Plus!, or the ITOYA Doubleheader CD & Photo Permanent Marker.

• Mark the CD or DVD on the clear plastic inner hub of the disc.

Sharpies

What about Sharpies?

There's conflicting advice about Sharpies.

Sanford states:

Sanford has used SHARPIE markers on CDs for years and we have never experienced a problem.

We do not believe that the SHARPIE ink can affect these CDs, however we have not performed any long-term laboratory testing to verify this.

We have spoken to many major CD manufacturers about this issue.

Sanford.com FAQ

Their inks use alcohol, and some of them use solvents.

However, the Sharpie CD/DVD marker is an exception.

This marker uses quick-drying inks that are "specially formulated for digital media surfaces."

The marker also has a soft tip to minimize damage to discs.

CDs v. DVDs

The top surface of a CD is a thin lacquer coating, while a DVD has a layer of polycarbonate plastic.

So, CDs may be more easily damaged when labeling.

More

There's research findings at Media Sciences, an independent testing laboratory.

For information about CDs and DVDs, go to CD & DVD Care.